GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROP

Production of Genetically Modified Crop and World's Growing Population

Production of Genetically Modified Crop and World's Growing Population

Introduction

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics provoked vigorous debate with the publication of its Report, Genetically modified crops: ethical and social issues in 1999. One of the conclusions, based on the evidence available at the time, was that there was a moral imperative for making GM crops readily and economically available to people in developing countries who wanted them. In 2003, the Council felt it was important to examine whether the arguments for this conclusion were still valid. We have done this by publishing a follow-up Discussion Paper which focuses specifically on the use of GM crops in developing countries. This summary sets out some of the arguments and recommendations which are discussed in more detail in the Discussion Paper. The Paper reviews recent scientific evidence, socio-economic trends, and developments in policy, regulation and trade.

There are many factors that contribute to poverty and hunger in developing countries, including war, political instability, lack of infrastructure and poor economic conditions. We do not claim that the use of GM crops alone will eliminate the need for political, social or economic change, or that they will simply 'feed the world'. We recognise that we are discussing only part of a much larger picture. But since agriculture has a crucial role to play in developing countries, especially as a source of employment, income and food for the poorest people, it is important to assess the potential contribution of GM crops. Today, the majority of GM crops are grown in developed countries and address the needs of commercial farmers. However, farmers in developing countries are increasingly beginning to adopt GM crops. 16 million hectares are being grown in developing countries, by 4.5 million farmers. Most of these are small-scale farmers in China and South Africa, growing GM cotton.

Recent Trends in Poverty And Hunger in Developing Countries

777 million people in developing countries, including one third of the population of sub- Saharan Africa, are undernourished.

Over one billion people, almost all in Asia and Africa, survive on less than US $1 a day. Over half of these people depend primarily on agriculture for their living. There are approximately 817 million small-scale subsistence farmers in developing countries.

Estimates of population growth suggest that food requirements are likely to rise substantially in the next 20 years.

It is predicted that the proportion of the population which is of working age in developing countries will rise. Employment opportunities will also need to increase to provide income and economic growth.

New varieties of crops introduced in Asia between the 1960s and the 1980s increased crop yields significantly, allowing agriculture to provide food and work for a growing population, and reduce poverty. However, the improvements in crop yields achieved then have now slowed. Additionally, benefits of the Green Revolution failed to reach Africa.

Could GM crops make a difference?

We consider options for increasing agricultural production. One possibility would be to expand areas of ...